Jim

Early Morning Assault and Battery Leads to Unattended Death

November 4, 2016 -Holyoke, Ma- At approximately 5:00 a.m. this morning officers from the Holyoke Police Department responded to a report of an assault and battery in the vicinity of Cabot Street and Main Street in the City of Holyoke, Ma.

While interviewing the alleged victim of the assault, officers learned the alleged assailants also stole her vehicle. After being provided with a description and plate number to the victim’s vehicle, officers issued a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) for the vehicle. The victim also informed the responding officers the alleged suspect/s may be armed.

A short time after the BOLO was issued members of the Holyoke Police Department spotted the alleged stolen vehicle in the vicinity of Appleton Street and Canal Street. When officers attempted a traffic stop the driver of the vehicle failed to pull over which led to a pursuit ending with the stolen vehicle crashing on North Canal Street.

After crashing, both the driver, later identified as a juvenile, and the passenger exited the van in an attempt to evade apprehension. The juvenile was apprehended a short distance away by officers from the Holyoke Police Department

In an attempt to flee, the passenger in the vehicle jumped into a canal and began to swim until coming under distress half way across. Officers attempted to rescue him numerous times utilizing water rescue disks, which came within arms’ reach. Eventually he disappeared under the water. He was later located by the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team.

The deceased was identified as Alexander Torres Hernandez, 19 of Holyoke, Ma.

The incident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Office and the Holyoke Police Department. Agencies on scene that also provided assistance were the Holyoke Fire Department and American Medical Response.